There's a new Pilates studio in town. For owner Nicole Shutt, Studio Sculpt Reno is a dream years in the making.
"This has been a lifelong dream," she said. "This has been something I've wanted to do since I really got into fitness eight years ago. My background is in dance and Pilates and I got introduced to group fitness and strength training and thought, there has to be a way to fuse all these things together and that's what created sculpt. It's Pilates-based but it's dance-infused, music-motivated, and you have other bodies around you which is always super energizing because it has that personal training feel."
The studio opened during a pandemic, and that provided it's own set of challenges.
"The grand opening with the global pandemic definitely changed some things," Shutt said. "If anything, it made us hyperaware of the protocol that needed to be in place to make sure that everybody stayed safe. Because I was a little late to opening than the other gyms, I was able to network with a lot of other gym owners and I can truly say Reno has the most amazing community. The people I reached out to were the first to give me the input of what was working and what wasn't, and that's how I put by own protocols into place following CDC guidelines."
Classes are smaller, and she's had to figure out how to space things out for social distancing, both on the floor and when transitioning to the barre. Cleaning and sanitizing are a priority.
"We are going above and beyond to make sure everyone is staying safe," Shutt said. "We're limiting, we're social distancing, we're wearing our masks, we're sanitizing so that our clients are safe."
It's a program designed for all shapes, sizes and skill levels. Shutt says a lot of clients are glad to be back in a group setting, even with the modifications.
"The situation made it so I couldn't have a grand opening celebration, but I think the celebration is that we are all in a classroom together," she said. "Even though we're not close together, we're still feeling each others' energy. That first day everyone was pretty emotional and I think it's because we've been working out in our living rooms for several months. So to be back together and moving, and having the music be loud and the teacher be enthusiastic, and having them be in front of you, that was a nice change."
She says the instructors are all working together to make sure everyone has a safe, productive time at the new studio.
"I feel like if I can get through this and Studio Sculpt Reno can be a success through COVID, then I can do anything," Shutt said. "It's very empowering and honestly it's changed my mindset. It's humbled me and made me appreciative of every individual that walks in this door, because they are choosing us and relying on us to keep them safe and give them an effective workout. That's a huge responsibility and undertaking and I'm proud to do it."
